Page 157 - agnes-grey

‘He stopped, but he bit his bloodless lip, and looked so
terribly fierce that I was quite frightened. However, my
pride upheld me still, and I answered disdainfully; ‘I do not
know what motive you suppose I could have for naming it
to anyone, Mr. Hatfield; but if I were disposed to do so, you
would not deter me by threats; and it is scarcely the part of
a gentleman to attempt it.’
‘’Pardon me, Miss Murray,’ said he, ‘I have loved you so
intenselyI do still adore you so deeply, that I would not will-
ingly offend you; but though I never have loved, and never
CAN love any woman as I have loved you, it is equally cer-
tain that I never was so illtreated by any. On the contrary,
I have always found your sex the kindest and most tender
and obliging of God’s creation, till now.’ (Think of the con-
ceited fellow saying that!) ‘And the novelty and harshness of
the lesson you have taught me to-day, and the bitterness of
being disappointed in the only quarter on which the hap-
piness of my life depended, must excuse any appearance of
asperity. If my presence is disagreeable to you, Miss Mur-
ray,’ he said (for I was looking about me to show how little I
cared for him, so he thought I was tired of him, I suppose)—
‘if my presence is disagreeable to you, Miss Murray, you
have only to promise me the favour I named, and I will re-
lieve you at once. There are many ladies—some even in this
parish—who would be delighted to accept what you have so
scornfully trampled under your feet. They would be natu-
rally inclined to hate one whose surpassing loveliness has so
completely estranged my heart from them and blinded me
to their attractions; and a single hint of the truth from me to

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